Lighting system for motor vehicles



Aug. 16, 1932. M. ISERMANN ET AL LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed July 8. 1923 Fig.3

1 z? as so 28 32 3'7 4-0 45 5g 47 I 39 s0 Max karma/m and 5a [rnsf O/I/Jw/z INVENTORS BY ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES MAX ISERMANN, on NEW YORK, N. Y., AND nnus'r 'onnssou, on JnnsnY crry, new

JERSEY; sAIn onLsson ASSIGNOE T SAID ISERMAINN LIGHTING- SYSTEM non Moron vnnronns Application filed July 8, 1929. Serial No. 376,681.

The present invention relates generally to an improved time controlled switching'system for controlling the operation of electric lights or other electrical translating devices.

I/Vhile the present invention is specifically designed for application to the operation of a parking light of an automobile it is not intended that the system should be limited to the specific type of application, but the same may be applied to a variety of electrical systems. i V

The main object of the invention is to provide a system of the type described which is usually provided with a manually operable switch for controlling the operation of the translating device, namely, for closing or opening the circuit of the translating device with automatic means that close the circuit of the translating device at a predetermined hour, the system being so designed that means are provided whereby the circuit of the translating device may remain under the control of the manually operated switch that usually accompanies such device or it may be put under the control of the clock mechanism so that the circuit of the translating device will be. closed at the predetermined hour.

In order to provide a system of the type described which may be left under the control of a clock mechanism or may be maintained under the control of the manual switch, the system disclosed herein embodies a switch operable by a clock mechanism H which may be set to operate said switch at a predetermined hour; and it further embodies an electromagnet in series with said first mentioned switch and in series with the translating device which is to be controlled. The electromagnet has associated therewith a switch which is in parallel' with the clockoperated switch, but is in series with, and operable by said electromagnet to maintain the fiow of current through the electromagnet and the translating device after the clock operated switch has opened. The system is so arranged that when there is a flow of cur-' rent in the translating device the electromagnetically operated switch will be maintained in its closed position.

In addition thereto the switch which is controlled by the electromagnet is also adapted to be controlled by a manual device in such a manner that it may be retained in its closed position independently of the influence of the electromagnet.

By means of this last mentioned device the entire system is put under the control of the manually operable switch that usually accompanies such system.

One specific embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawing and described in the specification hereinafter. It is to be understood, however, that such specific embodiment is given herein for illustrative purposes and that the scope of the invention is not to be limited thereby.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical system embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a lateral view of the manually operable switch and the electromagnet switch associated therewith.

Figure 8 is a rear view of the device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detailed view of the clock operated switch. I p

The operation of the system and the essential principles of the present invention will be clearly understood from a detailed description of the electrical system shown in Figure 1. i

In this figure, 10 shows a source of power such as a storage battery or the like for supplying current to the lights 11. In series with the source 10 is disposed a manually operable switch l 12 shown diagrammatically in Figure 1 and further shown in Figure 2 as provided with a manually operable handle 13. i 7 r The device 12 as shown in Figure 2 is the common type of manually operable switch for controlling the lighting system of a motor vehicle and is usually mounted on the dashboard of the vehicle. In the systems commonly in use the switch 12 alone serves to control the operation of the lighting system by the manipulation of the handle 13. In the present system, however, a clock con' trolled switch 14 is provided which'contains a fixed contact and a movable contact 16. The clock is provided with devices that will be described hereinafter which provide for the setting of the clock in such a manner that the contact 16 will be moved from the position shown in Figure 1 to a positionin contact with 15 at any predetermined hour. By means of the conductors 17, 18 and 19, which are arranged in the manner shown, the electromagnet which is electrically interposed between the conductor 19 and the manually operable switch 12, becomes energized when the switch 14 is closed and the switch 12 is closed. It will be seen therefore that in order to prepare system for control by the clock operated switch 14 it isnecessary to close the manual switch 12 and to set the clock mechanism so that when a predeten mined hour is reached the switch 14 will move to its closing position and thereby complete the circuit from battery 10, through manual switch 12, electromagnet 20, conductors 19 and 18, switch 14, conductor 17 and lights 11.

The electromagnet 20 is inserted into this circuit for the purpose of closing a switch 2l-which is arranged in shunt to the switch 14. The movable contact 22 of the switch 21, which is designed to be moved into contact with the fixed contact 23, is carried by the armature 24 associated with the electromagnet 20; these elements being preferably pivoted about the point 25. The fixed contact 23 is connected to the lights 11 by means of the conductor 26.

When the system is put under the control of the clock, and the time set for the operation of the system arrives, the switch 14 is closed by the clock mechanism. This serves toenergize the lights 11 andalso the electromagnet 20. The .energization of the electromagnet 2O closes the switch 22 and thereby establishes the following circuit for the lights 11: source of current 10, manually operable switch 12, electromagnet 20, switch 21, conductor 26 and lights 11. Some time after the establishment of this circuit the further rotation of the clock mechanism opens the switch 14, and the circuit last traced still remains effectiveto maintain the lights 11 in an operativecondition. When it is desired to open the circuit of the lights 11, manual switch 12 is moved to its open circuit position.

Insofar as the elements thus far described are concerned no provision is made for maintaining the system under the sole control of the manual switch 12 when desired. For this purpose a manually operable device 27 is provided which cooperates with the switch 21 in such a manner that by a simple'manipulation of the device 27 the switch 21 may be closed and maintained closed independently of the operation of the switch 14 or of the electromagnet 20.

It will be seen that in this position the switch 12 is available for control of the circuit so that the lights may be turned on by closing the switch 12 or turned olf by'the opening of the switch 12 independent of the condition of the clock controlled switch 14.

The device 27, designedfor the manual control of the switch 21 consists of a rod 28 which is preferably mounted in the casing of theswitch 12 as shownand is provided with a knob 29 on the face of the casing of the switch 12 and adjacent to the switch handle 13. The rod 28 is provided with a fixed collar 36 and a helical spring 30 which is disposed between the fixed collar 36 and the rear wall of the switch casing. The end of the rod 28 which projects rearwardly of the switch 12 is provided with an enlarged head 31 and an abruptly sloping shoulder 32. The plate 33, which is preferably made of spring material and which carries the armature 24 by means of the upturned lugs 34 and which also carries themovable contact 22 of the switch 21, is provided with a downwardly projecting lug 35, which is always in contact with the device 27. In the full line position shownv in Figure 2 the lug 35 rests on the rod 28 at a point immediately adjacent the sloping shoulder 32. In this position the switch 21 is open and is subject to control of the electro-magnet 20 so that the energization of the electromagnet 20 will close the switch 21. The device 27 does not at all interfere with the operation of the switch when it is in the position shown.

While the spring 30 is compressed in this position and exerts a force to move the head 21 to the dotted line position, the engagement of thelug 35 by the abrupt shoulder 32 prevents the automatic retraction of the head 31 to the dotted line position.

*VVith the device 27 in the full line position shown in Figure 2 and with the switch 12 in its open position, the lights 11 will not illuminate even when the switch 14 is closed by the cloclr mechanism. If it is desired to leave the system in such a condition that the lights 11 will be turned on at any predetermined subsequent hour, the switch 12 is moved to its closed position. When the predetermined hour arrives the switch 14 will close, thus completing the circuit for the lights 11 through the electromagnet 20. This.

in turn will close the switch 21 and thus retain the circuit for the lights 11 closed even though the switch 14 may subsequently open as a result of the operation of the clock mechanism.

If, however, it is desired to eliminate the automatic control of the system and to place the system in such a condition that it is subj ect solely to the controlof the manual switch 12, the rod 28 is retracted manually "so that the head 31 occupies the dotted line position.

This closes the switch 21 and the connection between the battery 10 and the lights 11 are then controlled solely by the manual switch 12.

Figure 4 shows the clock mechanism that controls the operation of the switch 14. Generally this mechanism embodies substantially the type of apparatus that is utilized in the operation of alarm clocks. The clock mechanism inclosed within the casing 37, which need not be illustrated in detail, includes a cross supporting member 38 carrying the insulated contact 15 which is connected to the insulated binding post 39 by means of the connecting wire 40. The insulated contact member 16 is carried by the resilient arm 41 which is also fixed at one end to the plate 38. The contact 16 is connected to the insulated binding post 42 by means of the connecting wire 43.

The arm 41 carries a cam 50 which is rotatable upon a stud shaft carried by said arm 41, the cam 50 also having a gear wheel 51 which is geared to the hour hand by means of the gears 44 and 45; the gear 44 being so designed that the gear wheel 51 may move longitudinallywith relation to the gear 44 and still remain in engagement therewith. The cam 50 is preferably cup-shaped, its recess bein designed to receive the stud 46 which is provided with a radially projecting lug 47. The stud 46 may be rotated by means of the rod 48 and the notch 49 as is common in the operation of alarm clocks. The shaft 48 projects to the face of the clock and serves to operate an indicator 53 which guides the operator in the setting of the clock.

It will be seen from the above that by the rotation of the knob 49 the finger 47 may be set at any predetermined point with the result that during the subsequent operation of the clock the rotation of the cam 50 brings the notch 49 into alignment with the lug 47 at the predetermined hour. The spring 41 thereupon moves in'such a direction as to bring about the closing otthe switch 14.

The system illustrated and embodying the present invention relates to the operation of parking lights of a motor vehicle. The switch 12 is a two-position switch operable by the handle 13 to closed and open positions. When the system is in the condition shown in the drawings and it is desired to prepare the system for automatic operation, the switch 12 is moved to its closed position, and the knob 49 of the clock is operated to move the indicator 52 to the hour at which it is desired to have the parking light turned on.

When this hour arrives the switch 14 will close, parking lights 11 will become illuminated, the switch 21 will close, and with the result of the disengagement of the lug 35 with the plunger 28 spring 30 will retract the plunger 28 and the head 31 to the dotted line position. The parking light will then remain illuminated until the handle 13 is moved so that the switch 12 will be operated to the open position.

The system now remains in this condition and with the plunger 28 in its retracted position the system is entirely under the control of the manual switch 12 and is entirely independent of the clock controlled switch. The parking light may be turned on or as in the usual manner by the manipulation or" the switch 12 for the reason that the switch 21 is maintained closed by the retracted position of the plunger 28 and the engagement of the lug 35 with the larger diameter of the head 31. This may be said to be the normal condition of the system. In other words, the spring 30 normally maintains the plunger 28 in its retracted position and normally maintains the switch 21 in its closed position and the entire system is under the sole control of the manual switch 12. W hen it is desired again to set the system so that it is conditioned to be controlled by the automatic de vices, the plunger 28 is pushed inward against the spring 30 to the full line position in Figure 2 and the switch 12 is closed. The cycle of operations described is then repeated.

Having described the invention we do not wish to be limited by the specific disclosure appearing herein, the description and draw ings merely being illustrative of one embodiment of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Anelectrical system comprising a circuit including a source of electric current, a translating device, a manual switch, and an automatic switch in combination with a second manually operable switch in parallel with said automatic switch, and electroresponsive means disposed in said circuit for closing said second manually operable switch and holding it closed.

2. An electrical system comprising a circuit including a source or electric current, a translating device, a manual switch, and an automatic switch in combination with a. second switch in parallel with said automatic switch, and electro-r-esponsive means disposed in said circuit for controlling the operation of said second switch. I

3. An electrical system comprising a circuit including a source of electric current, a translating device, a manual switch, and an automatic switch in combination with a second manually operable switch in parallel with said automatic switch, electro-responsive means disposed in said circuit for controlling the operation of said second manually operable switch, and manual means for closing said second switch.

4. An electrical system comprising an electrically operable device, a source or electric current therefor, and a manually operable switch controlling the operation of said device, a clock controlled switch, and means for conditioning the system to operate independently of the operation of of said clock controlled switch, said means comprising a switch, a manual operator for said last named switch, and means responsive to the flow of current in the system for holding said last named switch closed.

5. In combination, a source of electric current, a manual switch, an electromagnet connected in series with said manual switch and source of electric current, an electric light in series with the source of current, parallel circuit branches connecting the electromagnet in series with the light, and each including a switch, and clockwork controlling one of said branch switches, the other of said branch switches being operable to closed position by the electromagnet.

6. In combination, a source of electric current, a manual switch, an electromagnet connected in series with said manual switch and source of electric current, an electric light in series with the source of current, parallel circuit branches conneting the electromagnet in series with the light, and each including a switch, and clockwork controlling one of said branch switches, the other of said branch switches being operable to closed position by the electromagnet, and means manually movable at will into position to close the latter switch and to retain it in closed position.

In testimony whereof we have aifizied our signatures to this specification.

MAX ISERMAN N. ERNST OI-ILSSON. 

